Catherine Shaffer makes a point and brings us a reminder (since it was also dealt in comments), all writing advice is offered on "use if you can or need, toss everything that doesn't work." Everybody's path is different (the man in the corner shouts, "I'm not"). I can point to all sorts of examples of writers who are successful to different degrees who have made that success in different ways. Keep what works, toss what doesn't.

And here, as I pointed out in comments, I try to give links to all kinds of writing advice. Even that advice that I know doesn't work for me. Why? Because it may work for you. As long as I can see it's sound advice (or given humorously like the link yesterday), I try and share it.

Although one thing you should do (if you're just starting out) is know the importance of manuscript formatting. Jay Lake holds forth on why you should know it and live it. Now, from what I'm told, if you deviate slightly, most people aren't going to toss you for that. But as Jay says, why start out in the hole? It's hard enough to sell something. Also, every profession has their shibboleth. Proper manuscript formatting performs that function for writing. It lets the person reading your manuscript know you cared enough to learn the bare minimum about your profession.

Vintage motivational cards and a second post of them. Personally, I think there's an illustrator giggling over the inclusion of the Sisyphus image in the Loyalty Always Inspires Confidence card. And I hate to say it, but these are from a much simpler time. The cynic in me had a field day with them.

"But you think you're protecting me, you arrogant fucktard?" Eric on the other insanity that gun owners see themselves as the only protectors of freedom (you may remember Jim Wright on the first insanity, that dead kids are the price of freedom). Look, I don't want to go into everything here (I don't have the time or the patience to write it all), so I'm just going to point to the other idiots who thought their guns would protect them from the "guvument". You might have heard of Waco, Ruby Ridge, the Hutaree, the various Aryan Nation sects that went toes to toe with the jackbooted thugs of the FBI. It was the FBI. We're not even talking "Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines" here. We're talking about people who train at a place they call "The Farm." They didn't even have to call in the specialists (Delta, SEALs, AFSO). Those people were "prepared." They were armed to the teeth. So how did it work out from them? Look, the people in power are more afraid of your vote than they are of your guns. Notice how there's no legislation banning firearms that has any real chance of passing either Federally or in the States. However, they have passed laws making it more difficult for you to vote and are more than willing to remove your franchise whenever they have the opportunity. And you know what they were afraid of behind the Iron Curtain. Was it our bombers, our missiles, our guns and swagger? Fuck no. They were afraid of our jazz and denim jeans.

"CNN notes that Romney has only taken three questions from the traveling press corps during his week-long trip abroad." That's the tagline on the story of a Romney's Traveling press secretary, Rick Gorka, cursing at reporters. Really, Mr. Gorka, it's a "Holy Site" and you're the one saying, "Kiss my ass"? You kiss your mother with that mouth? Also, don't want reporters to shout questions, then provide access to your candidate. Look, I really wanted this to be a campaign. I wasn't going to vote for Romney (Huntsman would have been a more difficult choice), but I wanted this to be a crucible of ideas. Now I'm alarmed at just how much this campaign is not ready for prime time. Seriously. Republicans have campaign strategists falling out of their ears, experienced people at all levels. I see them all the time on Fox News. I may disagree with their philosophies, but at least there's a level of professionalism and experience that you expect. (Pointed to by Dan)

About Me

I am a writer of Fantasy, Horror, and Science Fiction. Here you can find some of my thoughts about writing, politics, society, dreams, and anything that comes into my head. Sometimes I drop a Story Bone or two. And then there is the tweeting.

The opinions expressed on this blog are my own and should not be considered the opinions of my employers or clients.

Da Rules

Anything put in a post with the title "Story Bone" is up for grabs. If it sets off a story bomb in your head, go for it. I don't claim any right except to maybe write my own story based on the bone. I haven't researched the bones to make sure I'm not trodding on somebody else's toes so use at your own risk. Think of these as free ideas.

Freed Scribblings

The Company of Ravens - First Chapter This is the story that nearly killed me and forced me to start writing down these things in my head. It's still a draft. After innumeral edits this is still at the point I realized I needed more skills to tell the story, and also the point where I realized I could do this.

The Dead Are Busy Released from the trunk in celebration of the first International Pixel-Stained Technopeasant Day, April 23, 2007.

Storming Heaven This was the first short story I wrote that I felt was ready for publication. Released from the trunk in celebration of the second International Pixel-Stained Technopeasant Day, April 23, 2008.